Kovatch Sues Gm Over Transmissions

A Carbon County defense contractor filed a $2-million lawsuit against General Motors Corp. in federal court in Scranton yesterday because of problems with truck transmissions.

The complaint was filed by the Kovatch Corp., Nesquehoning, a company that modifies motor vehicles for specialized purposes. The firm has a contract to supply the Air Force with 1,010 R-9 refueler trucks, used to refuel jet aircraft. An additional 90 trucks will be sold to the Egyptian air force.

Mack Trucks, Allentown, is making chassis for the vehicles.

Kovatch was awarded the contact by the Air Force in 1980, according to the complaint. The Air Force specified that the trucks be equipped with an automatic transmission that directs power to the drive wheels or the pumping unit. GM's Detroit Diesel Allison division makes the special transmissions.

In February 1983 the Air Force reported it was experiencing mechanical failure with the transmissions and two months later orderedKovatch to stop further shipments.

As a result of that order, Kovatch has been obligated to repair and retrofit R-9 trucks, and this has caused delays in delivering that equipment to the Air Force, the complaint states.

To date the repairs have cost the plaintiff in excess of $2 million, the suit says. Kovatch wants GM to pay the refitting costs, plus other expenses stemming from the lawsuit.